Disabling accidental MAC-Addresses on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, working on the basis of shells MIUI The new HyperOS uses the randomization function by default. MAC-This technology prevents the location of the device from being tracked by different access points, which is especially important when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks in shopping malls or cafes.

However, in home or corporate networks where hardware address filtering or static IP distribution is configured, this feature can cause unstable connections. Users often face a situation where the router simply cannot see the phone or constantly resets the connection, requiring manual reassignment of the device.

The solution is to switch the network card to the standard position, and in this guide, we will detail the algorithm of actions that will allow you to fix the real card. MAC-address and ensure stable operation of the smartphone on any network.

Why Change the Type of Address in Wi-Fi Settings

By default, the Android operating system installed on Xiaomi devices generates a temporary identifier for each new connection, which means that for a router, your phone looks like a new device every time, even if you just rebooted your smartphone or left the coverage area.

This approach creates problems in scenarios where the network administrator (or you) has set limits, such as if a router has a White List set up where your permanent address is inscribed, then randomization enabled will not be available, and it also interferes with smart home systems, where devices must have static IPs.

⚠️ Warning: Changing this setting on public hotspots reduces your anonymity, as the service provider can track your device’s movements between different routers.

In addition, some older router models may not properly handle requests from devices with changing IDs, leading to permanent communication breaks. MAC-Device addresses return predictable behavior to the network interface.

Instructions: disabling randomization on MIUI and HyperOS

The setup process is the same for most current firmware versions, but the location of the items may vary slightly depending on the version of Android. Below is a universal algorithm suitable for the Xiaomi Mi 11, Redmi Note 12 and newer models.

You first need to go to the basic system settings. Open the Settings app and select the Wi-Fi section, which will show the list of available networks and the current connection status.

Find the network you are connected to or planning to connect to. To the right of the network name (or below it, depending on the theme of the design) is an arrow or a gear icon. Click on it to open detailed connection settings.

In the menu that opens, look for "Privacy" or "Address Type" and the default may be "Random" MAC-Click on this item and select the option Use. MAC-address.

• 📱 Open your Wi-Fi settings and select the network you want.
• ⚙️ Find the "Privacy" section in the connection details.
• 🔄 Switch mode to "MAC-address".
• 💾 Save the changes, the network can reconnect.

Once you select a new setting, the phone will automatically reconnect to the network. If that doesn't happen, try manually pressing "Connect" or temporarily turning off and turning on the Wi-Fi module.

Configure through extended network settings

In some cases, especially on global firmware versions, settings can be hidden deeper. If you don't see the switch in the main menu, try clicking on the Settings icon next to the network name and then selecting "IP Settings".

Often the randomization parameter is hidden inside the settings menu. IP-Switch the mode to the address. DHCP on static (or back), and in the same window may appear an additional drop-down list to select the type of address.

It’s also worth noting that some versions of HyperOS have changed the logic of the operation: the system can automatically determine if you need to change the address. If you see a message saying that “the network does not support random addresses”, the phone will prompt you to switch.

For advanced users, the option of setting up through the engineering menu is available, but for a regular change MAC-address is excessive and may lead to instability of the communication module.

Comparison of network card operation modes

Understanding the difference between modes of operation helps avoid errors in the future, and here is a table showing the key differences between the two approaches to identifying a device on the network.

As can be seen from the table, for a home network where static IP and access to local resources (printers, NAS, media servers) are important, it is preferable to use the real address of the device.

At the same time, if you connect to Wi-Fi at an airport or cafe, it's best to leave randomization on, which will prevent access point owners from creating a digital profile of your movements.

Possible problems and solutions

After changing the address type, there may be situations when the smartphone refuses to connect or writes “Getting” IP-This is often because the router has "remembered" an old random address and conflicts with a new request.

In this case, you need to reset the network settings on the router itself or delete the network on the phone. Go to the Wi-Fi settings on your smartphone, select the problem network and click Forget Network (or "Delete").

⚠️ Note: After the network is deleted, you will need to re-enter the Wi-Fi password. Make sure you know the current authorization data.

Another common problem is DNS caching. If the internet has appeared but the pages are not loading, try switching the DNS in the static IP settings to 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare).

• 🔄 Run the "Forget Network" command in the Wi-Fi menu.
• 🔌 Restart the router to clean the table ARP.
• 📲 Reconnect your smartphone with a new one MAC-address.
• 🌐 If necessary, write a static DNS.

If the problem persists, check if the router is enabled "MAC Filter" (Filter) MAC-Your new (or old, depending on the situation) address may be blocked or may not be added to the list of permitted addresses.

The impact on the work of the smart home Xiaomi

For owners of the Mijia ecosystem and Yeelight, Aqara devices running through gateways, network stability is critical, and many users have noted that after upgrading to MIUI 14 or HyperOS, smart bulbs become less responsive or unavailable.

This is because the gateway is tied to the IP-the phone address for local management, and when changing MAC-The phone address is changing and IP (If you don't have statics, the local commands stop running.

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For stable operation of smart home scenarios, fix IP-smartphone address in the router settings on its MAC-address, so that it always remains unchanged.

Disabling randomization solves this problem dramatically: the phone always receives the same IP from the router (provided DHCP reservation), and communication with local devices becomes instantaneous.

This is especially true for the function "Mi Home" in the mode of the local network, when the Internet is temporarily absent, but the management of devices inside the apartment should work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Fixation MAC-Addresses are a necessary step for stable operation of the smart home and access to local network resources on Xiaomi devices.